Would this mixup of LHFHG and BHFHG work?

[sharonb]

I was all set to use LHFHG and BHFHG, but I am still feeling led to keep my oldest three children combined. My 5 year old does NOT want his own program. He wants to do whatever his siblings are doing. He has his math/LA at his level, but when it comes to content subjects, he does not want to do his own thing. He felt this way a year ago, and he still feels that way. I really like the devotional and the CD that go along with LHFHG, so I was thinking of doing the Bible study from LHFHG will all of them together. Then we will use BHFHG for the other content subjects (perhaps we will use Bible study from Bigger the following year, unless it ties into the history too much). I will sit down and look at my guides some more, but I figured I would ask this-- does the Bible study in LHFHG talk about what is being learned in history? If they are tied together I might just go ahead and use Bigger for everything, and use the LHFHG devotional as a family at night.

Thanks for help with this! It's actually kind of a relief to me that my 5 year old does not want to have his own program. I was feeling overwhelmed trying to schedule it all. I really do feel like we need to combine where we can (especially since we'll have a newborn in November!).

[Kathleen]

Sharon,

In LHFHG, the Bible reading IS the history for the 1st half or so of the guide. In the Bible study box you're mostly just working on memorizing the verse for the unit. The key idea in the box ties the verse content to the history for the day. At the end of the unit, you talk about the meaning of the verse. And, usually once per unit you read from the devotional book.

In Bigger, the Bible Study box has you working on memorizing different Proverbs. The key idea in the box does tie the meaning of the verse(s) read to the history content for the day. There is most definitely more discussion prompted on character qualities in the Bigger Bible study. I remember some incredible talks with Grant last year as we talked about God's desire for our character and obedience to Him. One day of the unit has your child choose how to show the character quality in real life - application. I'm not sure how a 5 year old would do with those talks, but I know I'd want that time with older ones.

I'd say that if you read through the first couple units of each you'd get a good feel for what you do in the Bible Study box for each guide. Maybe split them for Bible?

Kathleen

[FiveLittlePeaches]

Hi,

One of the things I love about HOD is the excellent choices Carrie makes. Devotions for the Children's Hour is a wonderful book and we really enjoyed the scheduled readings when we did LHFHG. I have Bible time with the children in the morning before school and we're currently going through that book again. The kids just love it as it just speaks to their hearts.

I think you will be equally pleased with Morning Bells and Little Pillows when the time comes. I actually find these little books very encouraging and look forward to them every week!

I hope you find peace over your decision to combine and what materials to use. Figuring out a solution that works for your family can be so difficult. I have really struggled in this area myself.

Julie

[sharonb]

Yeah, I realized that much of the history in Little Hearts IS the Bible (which we are covering through the Bible stories we read as a family at night); I was talking mainly about the Bible memorization and devotional.

Right now I'm leaning towards using BHFHG for everything (and just keep the devotional from LHFHG to use as a family sometime).

[krismoose]

The order for memory verses and devotional readings do coordinate with the history, some weeks more loosely than others . You could easily read through the devotional together as it's written, though, instead of following the sequence in LHFHG.